Offshore · Curaçao vs Anjouan
Curaçao vs Anjouan — Which Offshore Gambling Licence in 2026?
Curaçao and Anjouan are the default offshore options for operators who don't need a tier-1 halo. They look similar on a fee sheet — low cost, fast set-up, crypto-friendly — but they diverge on supervision, payment acceptance and reputation. Pick wrong and your banking stack pays for it.
Curaçao and Anjouan are two non-EU offshore gambling-licence regimes: Curaçao, supervised by the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) under the LOK framework in force since 24 December 2024, sits a step above Anjouan, licensed by the Anjouan Betting & Gaming Board (ABGB), on substance, supervision and reputational acceptance — while Anjouan is cheaper and faster.
Quick facts
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Curaçao regulator | Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), under the LOK in force since 24 December 2024 |
| Anjouan regulator | Anjouan Betting & Gaming Board (ABGB), with financial oversight by AOFA |
| Curaçao cost | EUR 4,592 application per licence; B2C ~EUR 47,450/yr, B2B ~EUR 24,490/yr (separate licences) |
| Anjouan cost | ~EUR 17,828 application (incl. due diligence & compliance) + ~EUR 15,000 annual renewal; one licence covers B2C and B2B |
| Timeline | Anjouan ~1-2 months; Curaçao ~3-4 months |
| Reputation | Curaçao mid-tier offshore; Anjouan entry-tier |
The honest comparison
Both are offshore, both are cheap relative to Malta, and both are popular with crypto-payment casinos. The difference is what happens after you’re licensed.
Curaçao rebuilt itself with the LOK, adopted in 2023 and in force since 24 December 2024. It’s now a direct Curaçao Gaming Authority licence — issued under separate B2C and B2B categories — with real substance requirements, a compliance function, and ongoing supervision. That lifted its standing — and its cost.
Anjouan is the budget play. The Anjouan Betting & Gaming Board issues licences quickly and cheaply, one licence covers both B2C and B2B, and the whole process runs in a month or two. That suits startups and grey-market operators testing product. The trade-off is a lower reputational ceiling and patchier payment acceptance.
When Curaçao wins
Pick Curaçao if you need broader payment-processor and banking acceptance, want a licence that survives more due-diligence questions, or plan to scale. The post-LOK CGA supervision is the point — it’s what makes the licence worth more than its fee.
When Anjouan wins
Pick Anjouan if budget is the binding constraint, you’re testing a market, or your payments are crypto-first and your processor accepts it. Just go in knowing the ceiling is lower and plan an exit to a higher tier if the brand grows.
The decision rule
Confirm your banking and PSP stack before you pick. That single step decides more outcomes than the fee comparison. Then match the jurisdiction to where your players are and how much reputational signal your model actually needs.
Pitfalls and nuances
1 Choosing on headline fee alone
Anjouan wins on a fee sheet. But if your PSP or bank won't accept the licence, the saving evaporates — you can't take deposits. Confirm the payments stack first, then pick the jurisdiction.
2 Assuming Curaçao is still a paper licence
The LOK ended that when it came into force on 24 December 2024. Curaçao now expects real substance — a Curaçao-resident managing director, local office, compliance officer — plus AML and ongoing CGA engagement. Budget for it, or stall at review.
Frequently asked questions
Is Curaçao better than Anjouan?
It's more credible, not strictly better. Curaçao has real CGA supervision and wider payment acceptance; Anjouan is cheaper and faster. The right one depends on your budget and reputational needs.
Which is cheaper, Curaçao or Anjouan?
Anjouan on recurring cost — ~EUR 15,000 annual renewal vs Curaçao's ~EUR 47,450/yr for a B2C licence. First-year costs are closer: ~EUR 33k for Anjouan vs EUR 30,000-60,000+ for Curaçao.
Do payment processors accept Anjouan licences?
Fewer do. Many processors and banks treat Anjouan as entry-tier and decline it, where Curaçao's post-LOK CGA supervision gets broader acceptance. Confirm your PSP before you commit.
Can I use crypto payments under either licence?
Yes. Both regimes are used by crypto-payment casinos targeting grey markets, though on-chain AML and sanctions screening are expected regardless of jurisdiction.
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- Curaçao Gaming Authority — regulator
- Anjouan Betting & Gaming Board — regulator